OKHighways.com

Highway History:
1953: Throughout the western half of Oklahoma, OK 3 ran along the same highways as it does today. At its western terminus at the Colorado State Line, the highway was duplexed with just U.S. 287, as U.S. 385 did not exist there yet.

In Oklahoma City, OK 3 went south on May Ave. from the Northwest Expressway to S.W. 29th Street (U.S. 62/U.S. 277). It was duplexed with OK 74 throughout that stretch. At 29th, OK 3 went east. OK 74 broke off at Western Ave., U.S. 62 went north on Robinson Ave., and OK 3 continued east on S.W. 29th St where it remained for the rest of its time in Oklahoma City.

OK 3W and OK 3E did not exist at this time. OK 3 ran along the present-day OK 3E route.

Further down the road in Atoka, near today's eastern terminus of OK 7, OK 3 and OK 7 duplexed from U.S. 69/U.S. 75 to the Arkansas State Line. Instead of duplexing with U.S. 259 from Broken Bow to Idabel like it does today, OK 3 (and OK 7) went straight ahead, and multiplexed with U.S. 70 to Arkansas.

Highway Review:
OK 3 is the longest state highway in Oklahoma by far, and has to be one of the top three longest state highways in the country. Montana 200 may be the only highway that tops Oklahoma 3 for that award, as that highway goes east-west across the Big Sky Country.

Almost all of OK 3 west of Oklahoma City is multiplexed with at least one other highway. Inside the Boise City traffic circle, OK 3 is part of a sexiplex. (Six highways on one road!) The other highways here are U.S. 56, U.S. 64, U.S. 287, U.S. 385, and U.S. 412. The only stretch west of Interstate 35 where it is not part of a multiplex is between U.S. 81 in Okarche and OK 74 in northwest Oklahoma City.

OK 3 is named "Governor George Nigh's Northwest Passage" throughout its first 341 miles. (The highway between its western terminus and OK 74) The highway shares long stretches of road with U.S. 412 (186 miles) and U.S. 270 (140 miles). Most of the highway is two-lane with occasional passing lanes, which come in handy for passing any slow drivers on the road.

OK 3 is duplexed with U.S. 412 throughout most of the panhandle. In the panhandle, OK 3 goes through Boise City, Guymon, and Hardesty. The first major town on the highway after leaving the panhandle is Woodward (pop. 11,853), which marks the eastern end of U.S. 412 and OK 3's duplex. OK 3 continues to be signed on the same road as U.S. 183 and U.S. 270.

In Seiling, U.S. 183 leaves OK 3 and U.S. 270 but U.S. 281 joins in. Twenty-nine miles southeast of Seiling, OK 33 joins U.S. 270, U.S. 281, and OK 3, and this four-highway multiplex lasts for nine miles to Watonga. U.S. 270 and U.S. 281 head to the south in Watonga, but OK 3 and OK 33 continue their duplex for another 28 miles to Kingfisher, where OK 3 then leaves on U.S. 81. Thirteen miles later, U.S. 81 and OK 3 split, and for the first time since entering the state, OK 3 is all alone on a road.

OK 3 now enters the Oklahoma City metropolitan area on the Northwest Expressway, a 6-lane divided highway with a 50 mph speed limit. It is one of Oklahoma City's most infamous roads, as traffic clogs the road during most hours of the day. At the Lake Hefner Parkway (OK 74), OK 3 heads south, and continues to head south after the southern end of OK 74 two miles to the south. OK 3 now duplexes with Interstate 44 and Interstate 240 throughout the rest of its time in Oklahoma City.

At the eastern end of Interstate 240 in far southeast Oklahoma City, OK 3 then becomes part of a multiplex with Interstate 240 and U.S. 270. This lasts for about 16 miles to Shawnee. It is Shawnee where the route becomes interesting. The route splits into OK 3W and OK 3E. The two highways are covered separately on this website. (OK 3E page | OK 3W page)

The two highways converge into one OK 3 on the west side of Ada (pop. 15,691). The highway then becomes part of the Richardson loop, a freeway around the west side of the Ponotoc County seat. After a short multiplex with U.S. 377 and OK 99, OK 3 continues as a Super-2 highway to Stonewall. Northwest of Coalgate, OK 3 becomes duplexed with U.S. 75, and this lasts for 18 miles to Atoka.

After leaving Atoka, OK 3 becomes more scenic, but it also becomes a faster route, as towns are few. The highway intersects the Indian Nation Turnpike, U.S. 271, and OK 2 in Antlers (pop. 2,552), the county seat of Pushmataha County. Between Antlers and Broken Bow (55 miles), OK 3 has intersections with OK 93, OK 98, and OK 147, all at those highways' northern termini. In Broken Bow, OK 3 heads south with U.S. 70 and U.S. 259 to Idabel, where the highway breaks off to the east. About 28 miles later, OK 3 finally leaves the state of Oklahoma and enters Arkansas, over 600 miles after it began at the Colorado State Line.

Highway Information:
Distance: 616.5 miles (using OK 3E) / 608.8 miles (using OK 3W)
Counties traveled through: Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woodward, Dewey, Blaine, Kingfisher, Canadian, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie, Seminole (OK 3E only), Ponotoc, Coal, Atoka, Pushmataha, McCurtain
Highway intersections: *The OK 3E mileage is used here* OK 325 (Mile 18.6), U.S. 56/U.S. 64/U.S. 385/U.S. 412 (Mile 18.7), U.S. 287 (Mile 20.5), U.S. 56 (Mile 26.5), OK 171 (Mile 34.1), OK 95 (Mile 53.0), OK 95 (Mile 58.0), OK 136 (Mile 76.4), U.S. 64 (Mile 80.5), U.S. 54 (Mile 81.3), U.S. 54/OK 136 (Mile 81.7), OK 94 (Mile 96.2), U.S. 83 (Mile 119.4), U.S. 270/OK 23 (Mile 136.3), U.S. 283 (Mile 171.5), OK 46 (Mile 179.6), U.S. 183 (Mile 189.2), OK 15 (Mile 203.0), U.S. 412/OK 34 (Mile 205.1), OK 34 (Mile 208.8), OK 50 (Mile 217.9), U.S. 183 (Mile 236.3), U.S. 60/U.S. 281 (Mile 238.5), U.S. 60/OK 51 (Mile 239.1), OK 51 (Mile 247.5), OK 33/OK 58 (Mile 267.4), U.S. 270/U.S. 281/OK 8 (Mile 276.9), U.S. 81/OK 33 (Mile 304.6), U.S. 81 (Mile 316.7), OK 4 (Mile 330.4), OK 3A/OK 74 (Mile 341.3), Interstate 44/OK 66/OK 74 (Mile 342.9), Interstate 40 (Mile 346.5), OK 152 (Mile 349.8), Interstate 44/Interstate 240/U.S. 62 (Mile 351.4), Interstate 35/U.S. 62/U.S. 77 (Mile 355.9), OK 77H (Mile 359.8), Interstate 40/Interstate 240/U.S. 270 (Mile 368.1), OK 102 (Mile 379.6), OK 102 (Mile 381.3), U.S. 177/U.S. 270/OK 3W (Mile 384.2), Interstate 40 (Mile 388.3), OK 18 (Mile 391.0), OK 18 (Mile 393.0), OK 9A (Mile 399.0), OK 99A (Mile 400.2), U.S. 270/OK 9 (Mile 407.9), U.S. 270/U.S. 377/OK 99 (Mile 410.3), OK 59 (Mile 412.7), OK 59 (Mile 415.5), OK 39/OK 56 (Mile 430.0), U.S. 377/OK 1/OK 99 (Mile 440.8), OK 3W/OK 19 (Mile 442.6), OK 1 (Mile 443.3), U.S. 377/OK 99 (Mile 446.5), U.S. 377/OK 99 (Mile 448.2), OK 48 (Mile 463.5), U.S. 75 (Mile 473.1), OK 31 (Mile 476.8), OK 31 (Mile 476.9), OK 43 (Mile 477.4), U.S. 69 (Mile 490.2), U.S. 69/U.S. 75 (Mile 490.7), Indian Nation Turnpike (Mile 521.1), OK 2 (Mile 521.8), U.S. 271 (Mile 522.8), U.S. 271 (Mile 523.8), OK 93 (Mile 535.5), OK 147 (Mile 539.6), OK 98 (Mile 567.3), U.S. 70/U.S. 259 (Mile 578.4), U.S. 70/U.S. 259 (Mile 588.1)
Highway duplexes: U.S. 287 (Miles 0.0-20.5, 20.5 miles), U.S. 385 (Miles 0.0-18.7, 18.7 miles), U.S. 56 (Miles 18.7-26.5, 7.8 miles), U.S. 64 (Miles 18.7-80.5, 61.8 miles), U.S. 412 (Miles 18.7-205.1, 186.4 miles), OK 95 (Miles 53.0-58.0, 5.0 miles), OK 136 (Miles 76.4-81.7, 5.3 miles), U.S. 54 (Miles 81.3-81.7, 0.4 mile), U.S. 270 (Miles 136.3-276.9, 140.6 miles), U.S. 183 (Miles 189.2-236.3, 47.1 miles), OK 34 (Miles 205.1-208.8, 3.7 miles), U.S. 60 (Miles 238.5-239.1, 0.6 mile), U.S. 281 (Miles 238.5-276.9, 38.4 miles), OK 51 (Miles 239.1-247.5, 8.4 miles), OK 33 (Miles 267.4-304.6, 37.2 miles), U.S. 81 (Miles 304.6-316.7, 12.1 miles), OK 74 (Miles 341.3-342.9, 1.6 miles), Interstate 44 (Miles 342.9-351.4, 8.5 miles), U.S. 62 (Miles 351.4-355.9, 4.5 miles), Interstate 240 (Miles 351.4-368.1, 16.6 miles), Interstate 40 (Miles 368.1-388.3, 20.2 miles), U.S. 270 (Miles 368.1-384.2, 16.1 miles), OK 102 (Miles 379.6-381.3, 1.7 miles), OK 18 (Miles 391.0-393.0, 2.0 miles), U.S. 270 (Miles 407.9-410.3, 2.4 miles), OK 59 (Miles 412.7-415.5, 2.8 miles), U.S. 377/OK 99 (Miles 410.3-440.8, 30.5 miles), OK 1 (Miles 440.8-443.3, 2.5 miles), U.S. 377/OK 99 (Miles 446.5-448.2, 1.7 miles), U.S. 75 (Miles 473.1-490.7, 17.6 miles), OK 31 (Miles 476.8-476.9, 0.1 mile), U.S. 69 (Miles 490.2-490.7, 0.5 mile), U.S. 271 (Miles 522.8-523.8, 1.0 mile), U.S. 70/U.S. 259 (Miles 578.4-588.1, 9.7 miles)

WESTERN TERMINUS
Colorado State Line, continues as U.S. 287/U.S. 385

	"Welcome to Colorful Colorado" sign on U.S. 287/U.S. 385 North as OK 3 West comes to an end. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 287/U.S. 385 (North) assurance shields just north of the state line. The duplex lasts for another 77 miles to Lamar. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	"Oklahoma" sign on U.S. 287/U.S. 385 South as OK 3 East begins its 600-plus mile journey. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 287/U.S. 385 South/OK 3 East assurance shields just south of the state line. The first intersection is at the Boise City traffic circle in 19 miles. (Photo taken 5/7/04)

OTHER HIGHWAY PICTURES

	U.S. 287/U.S. 385 North/OK 3 West assurance shields just north of the Boise City traffic circle. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 287/U.S. 385 South/OK 3 East at the Boise City traffic circle. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	Inside the traffic circle, this would be U.S. 56/U.S. 64/U.S. 412 West/U.S. 287/U.S. 385 South/OK 3 East at OK 325 West - Kenton. OK 325 is 38 miles long and these highways here are the only ones it connects to. It is also the highway that one takes to get to Black Mesa, Oklahoma's highest point. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	Inside the traffic circle, this would be U.S. 56/U.S. 64/U.S. 412 West/U.S. 287/U.S. 385 South/OK 3 East at U.S. 56/U.S. 64/U.S. 412 West/U.S. 385 South. U.S. 385 is left off of this sign. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	Inside the traffic circle, this would be U.S. 56/U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 East/ U.S. 287 South/U.S. 385 North at U.S. 56/ U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 East/U.S. 287 South. U.S. 64 and OK 3 are not signed here, but that is all right. There are too many highways here to fit them all into one sign! (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	Inside the traffic circle, this would be U.S. 56/U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 West/U.S. 287/U.S. 385 North at U.S. 287/U.S. 385 North/OK 3 West. U.S. 287 does eventually connect to Denver, and a sign just north of town gives the mileage to Colorado's capital city. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 56/U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 West/U.S. 287 North assurance shields just east of Boise City. This area is known for its highway multiplexes. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 56/U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 East/U.S. 287 South at U.S. 287 South. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 56/U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 East at U.S. 56 East. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 West at OK 171. There are no signs at the actual intersection for OK 171. I counted more deer on OK 171 than other vehicles on this day! (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 West/OK 95 North at OK 95 North. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 West/OK 95 North assurance shields in western Texas County. OK 95 runs along this road for five miles. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 East/OK 136 South assurance shields just north of Guymon. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 3 East/OK 136 South at U.S. 64 East in Guymon. This is also the truck route for U.S. 64, U.S. 412, OK 3, and OK 136 traffic to bypass downtown Guymon, which is less than a mile ahead. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 412/OK 3 East/OK 136 South at U.S. 54 in Guymon. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 54/U.S. 412/OK 3 West/OK 136 North at Business U.S. 412/OK 3 West/OK 136 North in Guymon. The "Business" tab is there because truck traffic on U.S. 412/OK 3/OK 136 uses a slightly different route to the north to bypass downtown Guymon. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 54/U.S. 412/OK 3 East/OK 136 South at U.S. 412/OK 3 East/OK 136 South in Guymon. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 412/OK 3 West/OK 136 North at U.S. 54 in Guymon. U.S. 54 is the cross street. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 412/OK 3 East/OK 136 South at OK 136 South in Guymon. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 412/OK 3 West at OK 136 South in Guymon. U.S. 54 is at the stoplight just ahead. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 412/OK 3 East at OK 94 North near Hardesty. OK 94 connects to U.S. 54/U.S. 64 in Hooker at its other end. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 412/OK 3 East* at U.S. 83.* (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 412/OK 3 West at U.S. 83. (Sorry about the sun glare.) (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	U.S. 412/OK 3 East at U.S. 270 West and OK 23. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 270/U.S. 412/OK 3 East at U.S. 283. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 270/U.S. 412/OK 3 East at OK 46. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 270/U.S. 412/OK 3 East at U.S. 183 North near Fort Supply. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 183 South/U.S. 270/U.S. 412/OK 3 East at OK 15 West in Woodward. U.S. 412 replaced OK 15 between this intersection and Garber, where the eastern OK 15 now begins. (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	U.S. 183 South/U.S. 270/U.S. 412/OK 3 East at OK 34 in Woodward. U.S. 412 continues straight ahead while U.S. 183, U.S. 270, and OK 3 all head south with OK 34. (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	U.S. 183 South/U.S. 270/OK 3 East/OK 34 South at OK 34 South near Woodward. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 183 South/U.S. 270/OK 3 East at OK 50 North. OK 50 connects to U.S. 64 north of Freedom at its other end. (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	U.S. 183 South/U.S. 270/OK 3 East at U.S. 183 South near Seiling. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 270/OK 3 East at U.S. 60 East/U.S. 281 North in Seiling. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 270/OK 3 East/U.S. 60 West/U.S. 281 South at U.S. 60/OK 51 West in Seiling. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 270/OK 3/OK 51 East/U.S. 281 South at OK 51 East. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 270/OK 3 East/U.S. 281 South at OK 33 West/OK 58 North. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 270/U.S. 281/OK 3/OK 33 East assurance shields just east of OK 33 West/OK 58 North. U.S. 281 is signed east-west during this stretch. (Photo taken 4/9/04)
	U.S. 270/OK 3/OK 33 East/U.S. 281 South at OK 8 in Watonga. OK 3 and OK 33 continue straight ahead. U.S. 270 and U.S. 281 head to the south. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	U.S. 81 South/OK 3 East at U.S. 81 South - El Reno exit. (Photo taken 7/18/03)
	OK 3 West at OK 4. (Sorry about the quality of this picture, but this was one of the first road sign pictures I ever took!) (Photo taken 8/24/02)
	OK 3 East assurance shield just east of OK 4. The Kilpatrick Turnpike is three miles ahead. (Photo taken 1/31/03)
	OK 3 East at Kilpatrick Turnpike West. (Photo taken 1/31/03)
	OK 3 East at Kilpatrick Turnpike East. (Photo taken 1/31/03)
	OK 3 East approaching OK 74 and OK 3A. OK 3 heads to the south here. OK 3A begins straight ahead. (Photo taken 1/31/03)
	OK 3 East at OK 3 East/OK 74 South/TO Interstate 44. (Photo taken 1/31/03)
	OK 3 West/OK 74 North at OK 3/OK 3A - Northwest Expressway/TO N.W. 63rd St. exit in Oklahoma City. (Photo taken 11/6/02)
For pictures of OK 3 in Oklahoma City, please see the following pages: Lake Hefner Parkway (OK 74) \| Interstate 44 Interstate 240
	Interstate 40/U.S. 270/OK 3 East at Exit 181 - U.S. 177/U.S. 270/OK 3W - Shawnee/Tecumseh. This is the western end of the OK 3W/3E split. (Photo taken 9/26/03)
	OK 1 East/OK 3 West at OK 3W/OK 19 West - Shawnee/Pauls Valley. This is the eastern end of the OK 3W/3E split. OK 3E begins straight ahead. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	OK 1 East/OK 3 West at Ada. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	OK 3 West at OK 1 West - Latta/Roff/ Sulphur. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	OK 3 West at Kerr Lab Rd. in Ada. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	U.S. 377/OK 99 North/OK 3 West at U.S. 377/OK 99 North - Ada/McAlester. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	U.S. 377/OK 99 North/OK 3 West at Stonecipher Blvd. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	OK 3 West at U.S. 377/OK 99 South - Fittstown/Tishomingo/Madill. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	OK 3 West at the Stonewall exit. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	OK 3 West at OK 48 north of Tupelo. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	U.S. 75 North/OK 3 West/OK 31 East at OK 31 East in Coalgate. U.S. 75 and OK 3 head west while OK 31 continues straight ahead. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	U.S. 75 North/OK 3 West at OK 31 West in Coalgate. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	U.S. 75 South/OK 3 East at OK 43 East in Coalgate. OK 43 connects to OK 2 near Sardis Lake at its other end. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	U.S. 69/U.S. 75 South/OK 3 East at Business OK 3 East in Atoka. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	U.S. 69/U.S. 75 South/OK 3 East at OK 3 East/OK 7 West/Bypass OK 3 West in Atoka. This marks the eastern terminus of OK 7 and of the OK 3 Bypass. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 3 West approaching U.S. 69/U.S. 75/ Bypass OK 3/OK 7 in Atoka. OK 3 heads to the north and OK 7 begins straight ahead. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 3 West at U.S. 69/U.S. 75 in Atoka. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 3 West at Indian Nation Turnpike North - Henryetta/Tulsa. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 3 East at OK 2 North in Antlers. The southern OK 2 connects OK 3 to U.S. 64 in Warner. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 3 East at U.S. 271 South in Antlers. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	U.S. 271 North/OK 3 East assurance shields in Antlers. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	U.S. 271 North/OK 3 East at U.S. 271 North. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	OK 3 East as it prepares to cross the Kiamichi River between Antlers and Rattan. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	OK 3 East at OK 93 South. OK 93 connects to U.S. 70 near Hugo. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	OK 3 West at OK 93 South in Rattan. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 3 East at OK 147 South. OK 147 skirts the eastern edge of Lake Hugo. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	OK 3 West at OK 147 South. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 3 East at OK 98 South. The signs were on the ground at the time of this picture. OK 98 goes through Wright City and has its other end at OK 37, two miles north of the Texas state line. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	U.S. 70 East/U.S. 259 North/OK 3 West at U.S. 70 East/OK 3 West in Broken Bow. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	U.S. 70 East/U.S. 259 North/OK 3 West as the highways prepare to cross the Little River. The highway's northbound lanes use the original bridge, while the southbound lanes use a newer alignment. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	U.S. 259 North/OK 3 West at U.S. 70 West. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	U.S. 70 East/U.S. 259 North/OK 3 West assurance shields in Idabel. These shields are actually on the U.S. 70 bypass. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	OK 3 West at U.S. 70 Bypass/U.S. 259 in Idabel. (Photo taken 6/23/04)

EASTERN TERMINUS
Arkansas State Line, continues as AR 32

	"Welcome to Arkansas" sign as OK 3 East ends and AR 32 East begins. AR 32 is not nearly as long as OK 3 is, but then again, only one state highway in the nation is longer than OK 3 is. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	AR 32 East assurance shield just east of the state line. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	"Welcome to Oklahoma" sign as AR 32 West comes to an end. The first OK 3 assurance shield is just ahead. (Photo taken 6/23/04)
	The first of many assurance shields one will see on OK 3 West. The first highway intersection is 28 miles away in east Idabel at U.S. 259 and the U.S. 70 bypass. (Photo taken 6/23/04)